Alexander Legkov, whose photo is in this article, is the Russian Olympic champion, a member of the Russian national ski team in Turin. In the Tour de Ski 2007 (many days), the first in the history of Russia won a silver medal. I participated in the World Cup more than once. Twice Alexander occupied the 2nd line in the fight for the World Cup.
A family
Alexander Legkov, whose biography is closely related to sports, was born on May 7, 1983 in the Moscow region, in the city of Krasnoarmeysk. His family is athletic. Mom was a track and field athlete, and later began working as a physical education teacher, and her father was a professional hockey player and football fan. Alexander has a brother Victor, who is also interested in sports - biathlon. Therefore, it is not surprising that Legkov chose a sports career.
Childhood
From childhood, Alexander really liked hockey. Before grade 9, there were not even triples in his diary. But when he started going to the training camp and practicing hockey, his academic performance declined. There was not enough time for lessons. He played in the Whirlwind team as a striker, under the leadership of V. M. Smekhov.
When Alexander was 10 years old, he received as a gift his first ski, which was presented as the best player of the season. Coaches advised parents to send a promising teenager to a famous Moscow club. But training was expensive, there was not enough money, and hockey remained just a hobby. Alexander was very worried about the inability to do this sport professionally.
Sport saved Alexander's life
Thanks to phenomenal endurance, Legkov was able to survive two abdominal operations, after he became ill with peritonitis in grade 7. The doctor said that the teenager was saved only by excellent physical training. Many people still remember about his stamina. While in the pioneer camp, Alexander Legkov was the only one to run 100 laps of 300 m each. This "marathon" lasted 3 hours. After the run, the teenager drank kefir and also played table tennis.
Search for yourself
In the life of Alexander there was a period when he abandoned the sport completely. But his father advised me to find my way and try different directions. Alexander listened to his parents and started with biathlon. He rarely shot in training, the coach did not put pressure on the students. The guys often even played soccer.
This coach remained in Alexander's memory for life. He always remembers him with respect and warmth. Despite the fact that they were rarely directly involved in biathlon, Alexander still takes the right position when shooting.
Legkova was noticed by the ski trainer V. V. Grinev, who suggested changing the direction in sports. The young athlete agreed and moved to the Moscow Slalomist. Thus began his ski career. After hard training in 2001, Alexander Legkov ended up in the junior team. His subsequent mentor was Borodavko Yu.V.
The turns of fate
Alexander in one of the interviews shared that if he did not become an athlete, he would definitely try to become an actor. He even studied at the stage institute. From childhood, Alexander felt a penchant for creativity. He always loved to parody, and he did it quite well.
Among Alexander's friends there are many actors from KVN. He himself took part in some programs. With friends from their hometown, they created their own team, which they called the Olympic Village. If possible, Alexander attends the Comedy Club show. For the sake of a joke, he came up with various nicknames for many guys from the team.
Sports career
In 2006, Alexander Legkov won 2nd place and 1st place at the World Cup in Slovenia at the Russian Championship. The most successful in prize-winning places for the athlete was 2007. He took 1st place in the Eastern European Cup, received a silver medal in Italy, 1st place in Rybinsk (at the World Cup) and 2nd at the World Cup in Japan. In 2008 - gold at competitions in Finland. In 2009 - 1st place in the World Cup.
10 years after Alexander joined the national team in 2001, he studied with a German coach, then with R. Burgmeister, a Swiss mentor. At the age of 20, Alexander won the competition for the Continental Cup. After a couple of years (at international competitions) he took 3rd place.
In 2010, Alexander during the competition in Vancouver made a mistake and lost his feet. But, nevertheless, he was able to get bronze. Alexander did not give up and with renewed vigor began to pursue the following victories. As a result, he took 1st place in Norway. For the period from 2010 to 2011 received several times the championship at the World Cup, and the next year in Sweden earned silver and bronze.
In 2013-2014 Alexander Legkov was declared the winner of the royal ski marathon, held in Norway. 1st place at the Tour de Ski and 3rd in Italy at the World Cup. Thanks to the Olympic Games, which took place in Sochi in 2014, Alexander declared himself to the whole world. He was able to win gold, silver and take 11th place in the skiathlon.
